Background: Breast cancer is one of the most prevalent cancers among women worldwide, making early detection crucial for effective treatment and improved survival rates. Diagnostic imaging plays a pivotal role in the early identification and characterization of breast lesions. Ultrasound elastography represents a significant advancement in the evaluation of breast lumps. By providing detailed information on tissue stiffness, it enhances the diagnostic accuracy of conventional ultrasound and aids in the differentiation between benign and malignant lesions.

Objectives: To study the sensitivity and specificity of ultrasound elastography in the detection and characterization of various breast lumps and to study the role of ultrasound elastography in differentiating benign and malignant breast lesions.

Methods: A prospective study was conducted for a period of 2 years, where patients presenting with palpable breast lumps and with incidentally detected lesions on imaging modalities like mammography were included. They were subjected to the ultrasound imaging and elastography and FNAC/histopathology for confirmation and establishment of final diagnosis. The sonographic and elastographic parameters for benign and malignant lesions were compared relative to the histopathological diagnosis.

Results: Among the 100 patients in our study, majority (47%), were between 36-45 years old and the mean age of the participants was 40.63 ± 6.872 years. In terms of mass location, 39% of the masses were found in the left breast, and 61% were in the right breast. The BIRADS scores ranged from a minimum of 2 to a maximum of 4, with a mean score of 2.97 ± 0.577 and its classification showed that 38% of the masses were benign, 37% were indeterminate, and 25% were malignant. Elastography score interpretations revealed that 67% of the masses were classified as benign, while 33% were classified as malignant. Strain interpretation results indicated that 67% of the masses were benign, and 33% were malignant. FNAC/Histopathology results showed that 65% of the masses were benign and 35% were malignant. A p-value of 0.001 was found showing a significant correlation between elastography and FNAC/Histopathology and between strain analysis and FNAC/Histopathology respectively.